The Huntsville planning commission voted 9-3 Tuesday night against a revised ordinance that would make it easier for chickens to be kept on residential property.

Commission members who explained their opposition to the new rules before the vote cited concerns over enforcement and smell, among other reasons.

The vote likely ends a months-long debate over the concept of urban farming, though the proposed ordinance could still be appealed to the Huntsville city council for consideration. City Councilman John Olshefski, the council's representative on the commission, voted against the proposed ordinance.

The rule change would allow Huntsville residents with smaller yards -- 7,500 square feet or less -- to raise as many as three eggs-laying hens. The coop would have to provide a minimum of four square feet per bird and be set back at least 15 feet from the property line.

Homeowners with yards between 7,500 square feet and an acre could keep up to six chickens provided the coop is at least 25 feet from the neighbors' property.

The current city ordinance for backyard chicken coops requires a 150-foot setback that opponents argue is not feasible in most subdivisions.

The vote against the change came despite an endorsement from city officials.

"From the viewpoint of the city, we think this is a good ordinance," said Kelly Schrimsher, who serves on the commission as a city administrator. "We think it's a positive step forward. There have been a lot of good issues raised and I do believe the ordinance has been modified enough that the restrictions that are in place will address the majority of those."

Schrimsher said easing the restrictions fits with the city's sustainability movement.

"We think it's worth giving it a shot," she said. "If it doesn't work out, we can always tweak it."

Commission member Battle said citizens she had talked with indicated they did not support the new ordinance.

"I don't want to mistake a vote against this ordinance as a vote against the opportunity for sustainability and progress," she said. "We already have the provisions that allow family and communities to have this urban agriculture in their backyard if they so choose. I don't think it's necessary for us to extend that at this time."

Sam Caraway, director of the Huntsville Hen Alliance that pushed for the new ordinance, said in a statement following the meeting that his group would continue to seek an ease on the restrictions.

"We are disappointed with tonight's vote, but more determined than ever to see Huntsville pass a modern amendment that actually allows people to own hens," he said. "We'll be taking steps in the coming days to attempt to move the amendment ahead, without the planning commission.

In addition to a public hearing in which about a dozen people spoke, the commission heard from three experts who addressed specific aspects of the issue:

Dr. Lawrence Robey, the health officer for the Huntsville-Madison County Health Department, said chickens would pose no more of a health risk to the community than dogs or cats but that proper physical hygiene would be important in housing chickens.

Robert Spencer, urban regional specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, said he kept chickens at his rural home and that the concept of urban chickens shouldn't be a problem. He also acknowledged that the current ordinance may be sufficient.

Karen Shepherd, director of animal control for the city, said enforcement of the ordinance would not be a problem and that her office would work with urban farmers and their neighbors to alleviate disagreements.